We’re talking less than 170 cases total production for this cuvee. That is way below even typical micro-production levels. Michel is decidedly old-school, choosing to craft a product as it would have been made over 100 years ago, before the invention of many instruments and equipment used prevalently today in the wine industry. Now, we’re not anti-technology by any stretch, we know that technology has allowed quantities to increase while maintaining (and in some cases increasing) quality… and we certainly don’t plan on simply drinking less bubbles, do you? Of course not. (And just a ridiculous contemplation, at that.) Nevertheless, we love that Michel Chauvet has pushed the limits of quality in terms of what one man, with tireless effort and decades of experience, can achieve with a singular Champagne. And this, well, this is a singularly stunning result!

Centered in Cramant (not to be confused with Cremant) in the heart of the Cote de Blancs, this Grand Cru village is almost exclusively planted to chardonnay, on sloped, chalky hillsides revered for their signature minerality. This “Cuvee Dualissime” refers to the two bookend parcels sourced for this wine – one in Avize and the other in Chouilly, on either side of Cramant village, Michel’s hometown. Juice is fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled, stainless steel tanks, before undergoing secondary fermentation in bottle. The base cuvee here is the 2015 vintage, though 15% of the wine comes from a perpetually solera-style reserve mixture of past vintages over the decades. Aging on the lees occurs for five years, before disgorgement and a dosage of 4g/liter. 

The result is an exceptionally layered and full flavored wine of glorious proportions. The aromas start leesy, creamy, and toasty, slowly revealing variations of lemon curd and lemon zest, with notes of wet slate. In the mouth, more lemons, plus bruleed pears, salty chalk, clove, lemongrass, granny smith apples, and buttermilk biscuits slathered with fresh cream butter. Zippy, creamy, rich, and dreamy with ample spice and rockin’ minerality. Just… huzzah!

We couldn’t have chosen a better first ever exclusive for Last Bubbles! Treat yourself and grab a handful… just think of the perpetual bragging rights you’ll have over every bubble lover in your life!